Monthly Archives: October 2016

Haiti is currently being impacted by Hurricane Matthew, a Category 4 storm. Floridians should expect to see the effects of Hurricane Matthew by Thursday, October 6th. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a Hurricane Watch has been issued from the City of Deerfield Beach north to the Brevard/Volusia County line. South of Deerfield Beach to the Florida Keys is under a Tropical Storm Watch. A Hurricane Watch is typically issued when a storm is predicted to approach within 48 hours. A more severe Hurricane Warning will be issued when a storm is considered probable, and is coming within 36 hours.

In advance of a pending storm, HandsOn Broward wants to make sure you are prepared. Please review our Preparedness Guide and Kit Checklist below!

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS GUIDE

Plan in Advance – If you live in an evacuation zone and an evacuation is ordered, you are required by law to evacuate. Public shelters are a refuge of last resort. Remember, shelters are not designed for comfort, and only one shelter accepts pets, although service animals for the disabled are accepted at all shelters.

Identify a Safe Room – If you plan to stay at home, identify the safest room in your home. This is generally an interior room with no windows, such as a bathroom or closet. Make plans to take shelter in this room in the event of a direct hit.

Request Assistance if Needed – If you require special assistance in evacuating, or need to stay at a Special Needs shelter, call Broward County Human Services Department at 954-357-6385 (TTY 954-357-5608). If a member of your family is elderly, frail or disabled and may become vulnerable in the aftermath of a storm, register them with Broward County’s Vulnerable Population Registry. Visit Broward.org/Hurricane and select RESIDENTS AT RISK, or call 311 or 954-831-4000.

Stock Your Hurricane Kit – View back for list of supplies including food and water that will sustain your family for three to five days, and a two-week supply of medicines.

If Evacuating Out of the Area, Leave Early – Plan to leave as early as 48 hours in advance, and no later than the issuance of a Hurricane Watch. Keep in mind that a hurricane’s path is uncertain and you could inadvertently evacuate to an area where the storm may eventually strike. Take along your hurricane kit.

Document Assets – Make a visual or written record of your assets for insurance purposes. Also, photograph the exterior of your home including landscaping or structures that may not be insurable but impact the value of your property. Take these records with you if you evacuate.

Protect Important Papers – Photocopy important papers such as insurance policies and store them with a friend or in a safe deposit box outside of the hurricane area. Or, protect important family and financial documents inside a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag. If you evacuate, take these documents with you.

Prepare a Water Supply – Know who your water service provider is so you will know if a “boil water” order applies to your home. Check your water bill if you are unsure. As the storm approaches, fill pre-sanitized sinks and tubs with clean water for bathing and flushing toilets.

Set Appliances – Turn refrigerators and freezers to highest settings in anticipation of a power outage.

Get Cash – Banks and ATMs do not operate without electricity.

Get Gas – Gas pumps do not work without electricity.

Charge Phones – Charge your cell phone and wireless phone batteries.

Check on Neighbors – Check on your neighbors — especially the elderly and those with special needs.

Notify Others of Your Plans – Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all family members have a single point of contact. Notify this contact and other family members and friends of your plans.

Plan For Your Pet —Specialized pet shelters, pet-friendly hotels, veterinary clinics and friends and relatives out of harm’s way are ALL potential refuges for your pet during a disaster. For a list of pet-friendly hotels and boarding kennels, visit org/Animal. If you plan to go with your pet to a pet-friendly shelter, space is limited to those living in mobile homes and evacuation areas, and advance, in-person, preregistration is required. Call the Broward County Humane Society at 954-989-3977.

HURRICANE KIT CHECKLIST

Drinking Water: At least one gallon per person per day for three to five days, preferably two weeks. Extra water is needed for food preparation and personal hygiene. To store drinking water, use food-grade containers. You can use clean, airtight containers such as two-liter soda jugs, but no milk containers. If you re-use disposable plastic bottles, do not keep them for more than a month.

Food: At least enough for three to five days, including non-perishable packaged or canned food, canned or shelf milk, cereal, etc.; and snack foods

A three- to five-day supply of special items for babies such as formula, food, wipes, diapers; special foods for the elderly; toiletries and extra toilet paper